Lenovo Launching Linux Netbooks

In an email to The VAR Guy, Lenovo Senior VP J. Scott Di Valerio describes the PC giant’s evolving Linux strategy, including plans for so-called NetBooks that will launch in October. Here’s a look at what Di Valerio had to say.

Lenovo has faced some criticism from Linux folks in recent days, amid reports that the company was abandoning desktop Linux preloads. In an email to The VAR Guy, Di Valerio clarified Lenovo’s strategy:

Our commitment to Linux has not changed. What’s changed is that customers will no longer be able to order Lenovo ThinkPads and ThinkCentres with pre-installed Linux via the lenovo.com website. We are still certifying Linux pre-loads on ThinkPads and ThinkCentres, but most of those customers typically order either through their Lenovo Sales team or Lenovo Business Partner.

Now, for the news hook. Di Valerio also wrote:

In addition, we will be delivering new Linux offerings on our new Lenovo servers, and Ideapad Netbook education models, scheduled for release in September and October respectively.

The VAR Guy last month was the first blogger to tell readers about the Lenovo servers. And he’s also hinted that Netbooks from Lenovo were on the way. Generally speaking, Netbooks are low-cost sub-notebooks that cost roughly $275 to $400. Dell unveiled its Mini 9 Netbook earlier this month.

What’s the CPU on that thing? If the netbook vendors are serious about truly carving out a new market sector, they should go with a decidedly non-x86 chip. This would ensure that Linux netbooks don’t end up becoming underpowered Windows netbooks after Microsoft starts bullying the vendors around.

“We are still certifying Linux pre-loads on ThinkPads and ThinkCentres, but most of those customers typically order either through their Lenovo Sales team or Lenovo Business Partner.”

Lenovo Sales team or Lenovo Business Partner. It doesn’t sound like any Joe or Jodi Blow can contact one of these does it? Effectively locking the people on the street out.

I think that the big question is actually this. They don’t want to sell preloads to the masses, OK. But will they sell them free from the Windows tax?? I think that will be a great indicator of whether the change was due to an internal decision or external pressure.

Lenovo was one of the few places where a Linux laptop was actually cheaper than a Windows one. Avoiding paying the M$ tax was a deciding factor when I bought my thinkpad. Looks like it might be the last one for me as well..

If experience is anything to go by, “Netbook education models” means a netbook with Windows XP subsidized with taxpayers money, while there will be no subsidy for the GNU/Linux model.

This government subsidizing of a single monopoly vendor is exactly what has happened here in Australia. The result ? The lesser specced GNU/Linux netbook (512mb RAM, 8GB SSD) is more expensive than the higher specced Windows XP version (1gb RAM, 120GB HDD) through education channels.

With all I’ve seen in this industry I have become cynical enough not to expect any better from Lenovo.

All these computer manufacturers are doing it wrong. One needs to make a linux laptop that flat out rocks. Top of the line graphics, graphics, drives, ram, etc. really there needs to be a better than MAC total Linux laptop. That will be the totter finally tipping to the right side.

Clarification: The example I was using was the Acer Aspire One. Here in Victoria, Australia the Higher specced system with a better warranty is cheaper than the lesser specced system with a free operating system.

So, instead of just those buying notebooks in general being forced to pay the Microsoft tax. All Victorian tax payers are paying the Microsoft tax so the education department can give the Windows XP models to staff, students or whoever is eligible, on the cheap.

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